Master of Professional Studies in Integrated Behavioral Health

At a Glance

The high prevalence of co-occurring mental health and substance use disorders virtually guarantees that counselors, no matter the treatment setting, will encounter clients struggling with not one but two or more disorders.

The Masters of Professional Studies in Integrated Behavioral Health (IBH) prepares counselors for this clinical reality. The IBH merges mental health and substance abuse education and training into a single, comprehensive and cohesive program. This synthesis represents an important and pioneering shift in the preparation of clinicians.

Earn the Credentials to Treat a Range of Disorders

The IBH is designed to fulfill education and training requirements for two licenses: the Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) and Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC).

Graduates of the IBH

are eligible to sit for the exam for National Counselor Certification, a national exam required in many states (including Minnesota) for counselor licensure and the ICRC or NAADAC exams, required in Minnesota for the MNLADC;

can apply to the Minnesota Board of Behavioral Health and Therapy (BBHT) to have his or her credentials evaluated to become a Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC); LPCs practice professional counseling in Minnesota under an approved clinical supervisor; LPCs with 4000 hours (approximately 2 years) of appropriate supervised experience may apply to the Board to become a Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC); an LPCC is licensed to engage in the independent practice of professional counseling in Minnesota;

Why Choose the IBH?

Exam preparation: Prepares you for two clinical licenses: Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) and Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC).

Integrated curriculum: Addresses mental health and substance use disorders together rather than in a traditional sequential or parallel training approach, incorporating the most comprehensive and best information available in the field today.

Real-world application: Course content goes beyond the baseline established by the licensing board and reflects state-of-the-art, evidence-based best practices supported by research, federal government recommendations, and applied clinical realities. Features clinical skills courses, a case-study approach to learning, and internship opportunities.

Flexible and accessible: No GRE required. Course work is designed to meet the needs of working adults with classes offered in the evening, weekends, and online. Students can attend full- or part-time. Up to 24 credits from the post-baccalaureate Addiction Studies Certificate will transfer into the IBH.

Meets Work Force Needs

The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services have issued a “call to action” and subsequently, a significant effort to improve access to and integration of services for people with co-occurring disorders is underway.

According to the U.S. Department of Labor and Statistics, substance abuse counseling and mental health counseling are two of the fastest growing professions. Both areas are projected to grow much faster than average for all occupations over the next decade. Under managed care systems, insurance companies increasingly are providing for reimbursement of counselors as a less costly alternative to psychiatrists and psychologists.

A growing number of counselors are self-employed and work in group practices or private practice, due in part to laws allowing counselors with the LPCC to be paid for their services by insurance companies.

Subscribe to Integrated Behavioral Health News

Related Links

Scholarships

News

The Integrated Behavioral Health program has been recognized by the University Professional and Continuing Education Association as the Central Region Excellence Award winner for Innovative Program. Congratulations to all staff, faculty and students who have contributed to this achievement!